Mohamed Salah will not skip #Ramadan for Liverpool vs Real Madrid final

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool pose for a photo with his Premier League Golden Boot Award after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield on May 13, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

For Liverpool, much of their hopes in the Champions League final rest on the shoulders of Mohamed Salah.

Of course, Jurgen Klopp’s side have some other fine players, not least the likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, but it has been Salah who has been their talisman this season.

No one saw Salah’s incredible season coming last summer, even if many believed the Merseyside giants had grabbed a bargain from Roma.

Finishing as the Premier League top goal scorer after smashing records in his first season at Liverpool was a hugely impressive achievement.

Just two days before the Champions League final in Rome, it has been revealed that Salah will likely not eat or drink for 18 hours before facing Real Madrid.

Leganes player Nabil El Zhar, formerly of Liverpool told Marca that “I play better during Ramadan because I’m cleaner on the inside.”

“His performance will be lower”

There is a sense in Madrid though that Salah could be affected by Ramadan. Nutritionist Jesús Muñoz is quoted by Marca as saying: “Even though they feel cleaner, they are less prepared for physical exercise… If he perfectly fulfils Ramadan, his performance will be lower, it will cost him more to reach balls in a game of such demand.”